Michael Brooks was a legend in the Atlantic 10 and at La Salle where he played from 1976-1980. The 6'7" forward finished his collegiate career with 2,628 points and was named a consensus first-team All-American in 1980. He was also drafted ninth overall in 1980 by the Los Angeles Clippers and is still one of the top 30 scorers in NCAA history.
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Brooks had been battling a rare disease called aplastic anemia —- a syndrome that attacks the bone marrow and immune system —- and suffered a "massive stroke" according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. He was reportedly hospitalized last week for a bone-marrow transplant, but his body rejected the transplant. That caused Brooks to suffer a small stroke Sunday that led to a more severe stroke Monday.
The stroke turned out to be fatal as Brooks passed away at age 58. He played six seasons in the NBA and was named the NABC National Player of the Year in his senior year of college. He averaged 24.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game that year.
[h/t CBSSports.com]
